Mark Cuban opened a can of worms by saying he’d consider drafting Brittney Griner in the second round of this summer’s NBA draft.

The maverick owner of the Dallas Mavericks went on to say he’d offer Griner, one of the best female hoopsters of this generation, an invitation to audition for this year’s summer league.

The whole debate of whether women can play, or even compete on the NBA level, is ridiculous.

Cuban loves attention, relishes the spotlight and never misses an opportunity to bring attention on to himself.

If Griner eventually chooses to be used in some publicity stunt, the hope is she gets paid.

Charles Barkley struck a chord last year when he went on air and said Kentucky, which would win an NCAA title and send a handful of players to the NBA, could beat a team such as the Raptors.

It was utter nonsense, the thought kids could physically match up with grown men, no matter how many losses were being produced.

Griner is athletic, but has nowhere near the athleticism required if and when she ever goes up against an NBA-calibre player.

Basketball, at all levels, is a physical game, but nothing compares to the NBA.

“If she is the best on the board, I will take her,” Cuban said. “I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I’d lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance, and it’s not like the likelihood of any late-50s draft pick has a good chance of making it.”

There have been more stiffs than stars drafted over the years, the depth of talent diluted with more and more kids coming out early to enter the draft.

This year’s draft is considered one of the poorest in recent memory.

First-round picks are guaranteed money, only a handful of second-rounders provided with some financial security based on the cache of their representative.

Cuban is no fool and under no circumstance will he throw away money on Griner.

If tickets can be sold and attention generated, Cuban will take a flyer.

Back in 1979, Ann Meyers auditioned for the Indiana Pacers.

A lot has changed in the intervening years, the league much more athletic, players playing above the rim in an era where the game’s fundamentals have regressed.

Griner, not surprisingly, would welcome an opportunity, but there’s no chance she’s stick around with any team.

“She’d still have to make the team,” Cuban said. “I’m not going to carry her just to carry her. I don’t think, anyways. But I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to giving her the opportunity.”

At the women’s Final Four in New Orleans, Griner was the centre of attention.

“The WNBA is where I’m at. That is where I’m going,’’ said Griner, projected as the first-overall pick in the April 15 WNBA draft. “After that, if I get a shot (at the NBA), why turn down something like that? That’s big, even if you don’t make it. Hey, at least you tried. Somebody pushed the envelope.”

SIGN OF THE TIMES

There was never any doubt Tom Thibodeau would be extended by the Bulls.

The parties, in fact, agreed to terms months ago, but only recently signed off on the paper work, a delay that’s inevitable when lawyers get involved in the process.

“It never was an issue,’’ Thibodeau said. “I don’t know how it became an issue. As I mentioned, the lawyers had it. They were changing language and stuff. Quite honestly, I wasn’t paying attention to it. It was done in October.’’

The defensive-minded coach came to terms on a four-year deal worth $17.5 million.

SCOLA AND THE SUNS

Times have been tough in Phoenix, where the rebuild continues.

The Lindsey Hunter coached Suns aren’t going to be playing beyond the season finale, a reality that hits home for a veteran such as Luis Scola.

“It’s hard for me. It’s hard,” Scola said. “It is (frustrating), but I try to use that frustration to work a little harder. Just try to stay ready and in shape.

“The NBA is about winning 50, 60 games a year, going to the playoffs and making noise and hopefully winning a ring. Sometimes young guys, all they know is this (losing), and that’s a problem. So the biggest thing for us is to let them know that this is not what they should be looking for.”

Sounds eerily familiar to the Raptors’ situation.

K-MART ON THE CELTS?

Veteran forward Kenyon Martin admits discussions with Boston were active, ultimately deciding to play with the Knicks.

When the post-season begins, one of the opening-round possibilities is a New York-Boston battle.

“It’s their fault, they lost,” Martin said of Boston’s interest in the free agent. “There was talks, there was negotiations, they chose not to do it. It was out of my control. I’m a Knick now, so they lost. I’m just here to prove I never lost it. I guess I’m a better person than I am a basketball player.

“But the chip I’ve always played with hasn’t gotten bigger. I’m here to prove what I can do, that’s against everybody, every night. It doesn’t start with the Celtics. It’s whoever puts on that uniform opposite us.”

Martin is nursing a sore knee, one of many ailments afflicting New York’s veteran bigs.

THE BUCK STOPS HERE

Larry Sanders is among the leading candidates in both defensive player of the year honours and most improved players.

In Milwaukee’s win over visiting Toronto on Saturday night, Sanders recorded six blocks to give him 200 on the season.

Elmore Smith was the last Bucks players to reach the milestone in 1976.

GRIZZLIES NEED TO ANTE UP FOR ALLEN

Tony Allen isn’t going to beat teams with his offence.

When a game needs to be won, the ball isn’t going to go through Allen’s hands.

But he’s as tough as nails, as good a perimeter defender as there is in the NBA, a player whose unique services will be coveted this off-season when free agency begins.

For now, Allen’s focus is in helping Memphis go as far as possible in the post-season.

He’s in the final year of a deal that pays Allen $3.3 million, pocket change by NBA standards.

Allen has to take that approach and say what’s politically correct, but players are driven by money and his pay day will soon arrive, no matter what parameters are said for public consumption.

“Being in the right situation, being able to fit, being a piece moving forward in a team’s championship goals just being a priority,” Allen said. “And obviously, putting my family in a good situation. But for the most part, I don’t even think about it. I just go out there and play, play hard and let God take care of the rest.”

Then the almighty dollar comes into play and everything get changed.

JAMISON OPENS UP ON KOBE

Antawn Jamison has played on different teams, been exposed to various characters and personalities.

In his first season in L.A., Jamison admits his time with Kobe Bryant has been an eye opener.

“This guy’s a different dude,” Jamison said in a mild understatement.

Bryant challenges teammates, guaranteed a playoff berth when the Lakers weren’t at their best and constantly perseveres through any physical discomfort.

“Kobe will tell you,” Jamison said. “He’s like: ‘Look, you guys as my teammates, yell at me. Let me know that you’re open because I’m so programmed,’ and this guy has told me this: ‘I see nothing but that basket. You could be open, there could be three guys on me, but the only thing I see is that basket so you have to tell me, Look, I was open. Or yell at me mid-play. That doesn’t affect me at all and I respect that.’”

Injuries, among other issues, have held the Lakers back, the most recent ailments involving Metta World Peace and Steve Nash.

The one constant has been Bryant and his approach to the game and teammates.

“I think the thing we’ve seen in the past was most teammates might have been afraid to come to him or express: ‘Kob’ I was open,’ or: ‘That’s not what we drew up.’

“Dwight (Howard) and Kobe have gotten into shouting matches on the bench because Dwight will be like: ‘Kob,’ that’s your rotation. Get there.’ And after the game he’ll be like: ‘Appreciate it, big fella. I needed that.’”

HILL LEANING TOWARDS RETIREMENT

At 40, Grant Hill isn’t exactly over the hill, but his best days are clearly behind.

Injuries have always kept Hill from reaching his true potential, his impact with the Clippers felt more from a leadership perspective.

Like Jason Kidd in New York, Hill is under contract beyond this season, but Hill believes this will be his final run.

“Strong chance,” Hill said of retirement. “I’m leaning toward it. I want to get to the end of the year and off-season and think about it but I’m pretty confident that’s where my mind is right now. I’ve enjoyed it.”

When the year began as a Clipper, Hill was inactive (knee).

“That knee injury (bone bruise) set me back a bit in terms of staying healthy and getting in the rotation so that hasn’t been good,” Hill said. “But I wouldn’t change it one bit other than to be hurt early in the year.

“I like the situation. I like my teammates. We’ve had an up-and-down season. We’ve experienced every emotion you can ... We have the ability and the talent to beat anybody. I have no regrets. It’s been a great experience.”

The Clippers have reached the 50-win total for the first time in club history.

Soon, Hill might be history from the NBA, his place in hoops history incomplete given his injuries.

In 1995, Hill and Kidd shared rookie honours.

HOT AND COLD

A look at which teams and players have been lighting it up of late, which teams and players have gone in the toilet

Carmelo Anthony: This Melo fellow is as hot as it can get, scoring at a clip that has created one heck of a race with Kevin Durant for the league’s scoring title. Knicks have been on fire, relying on the three-ball that carried New York to its quick start to the season; potential of a New York-Miami matchup in the East final may prove more compelling than the NBA final.

L.A. Clippers: Amid talk team isn’t exactly on the same page, Clippers are in a battle with Memphis for home court. Sunday’s win over Lakers was a watershed moment for the franchise. Remains to be seen what damage can be done in post-season.

Utah Jazz: Kudos to this unheralded group for staving off the heralded Lakers, for now, for the eighth and final playoff spot in the highly competitive West. Mind you, this team is not equipped to win a playoff series, assuming Utah qualifies.

Roy Hibbert: The big fella averaged 22.2 points, while shooting 59% during a 4-0 trip by Pacers. Indiana has to feature Hibbert in the playoffs, especially if Pacers end up meeting Knicks in the second round.

Orlando Magic: Race for the most ping pong balls in the coming lottery is now on. Magic have turned tragic, going 4-22 since the all-star break; amazingly, team started season at 5-7.

Danilo Gallinari: Hard-luck small forward suffered yet another knee injury, this one a season-ending blow. Nuggets continue to post wins, but Gallinari’s shooting and ability to break down defences will be missed in playoffs.

Rudy Gay: Raptors look to Gay and it’s not a good sign when Gay has this look of disinterest that rubs off on the team. The guy can play, but he’s been picking his spots lately in terms of when he’s going to show up.

Sacramento Kings: Cloud of uncertainty remains, a franchise that is either staying put or moving to Seattle. Another round of meetings with the league’s higher ups is again on the agenda.